- April 25, 2024
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+ R-section to benefit from BEST program, volunteers
Flagler Volunteer Services will grant funding to create a BEST Neighborhood Program in Palm Coast’s R-section, an area with a high number of low-income homes, a high unemployment rate, safety issues at one local park and many struggling students.
The BEST program, which stands for Build-Engage-Sustain-Transform, is based on neighboring, a concept of community engagement that uses volunteering as a tool to “empower, mobilize and facilitate positive changes within communities,” according to a release.
By reaching out to marginalized populations, BEST programs are meant to improve communities through volunteer engagement.
Flagler Volunteer Services provides support to more than 60 nonprofit organizations and government agencies in the area.
Executive Director Suzy Rutherford said volunteers will expand on the good relationships with Rymfire Elementary School and other organizations, “as well as reach out to the family members of the children we already serve in that area through our I Can Read and Giving Store programs.”
Rutherford said residents themselves will identify the needs to be addressed.
A meeting will be held 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in the cafeteria at Rymfire Elementary. Call 597-2950.
+ Flagler schools system ranked 27 of 69 in Florida
Flagler Schools’ Special Projects Coordinator Sabrina Crosby announced Jan. 23 results from the Florida Department of Education’s ranking of every school district in the state.
Flagler was ranked 29 of 67 total districts, receiving an A grade.
All grades are based on points derived from FCAT scores. Districts are awarded one point for each percent of students who scored on grade level or higher and made annual learning gains. The total is the sum of the percentage scoring at Level 3 or higher in reading, math and science; scoring at Level 4 or higher on essay-writing; percentage of learning gains in reading and math; and percentage of the lowest 25% making gains in reading and math.
The system was newly devised by the state Department of Education as the first phase of an initiative that will soon include numerical rankings for every school grouping: elementary, middle and high.
+ B-section man planned to sell ‘fake’ drugs
Lonnie Nadeau, of the B-section, was traveling on State Road 11 at around 3:40 a.m. Jan. 21, when a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy stopped him because his red van was swerving.
A woman was asleep on a bed in the back of the van, which had an expired tag. A seven-inch knife was found under his seat, as well.
The deputy observed a rolled dollar bill and realized it was drug paraphernalia (rolled-up bills are sometimes used to inhale narcotics).
The deputy also found a digital scale with white powder on it, as well as two smokeless tobacco cans full of white powder, which the deputy identified as methamphetamines, using a field test kit.
However, Nadeau stated that the powder was actually a fake narcotic. He went on to explain that he was planning to sell it as though it were real. He said the dollar bill was used by a friend, who was demonstrating to Nadeau that the narcotics were, in fact, fake.
Nadeau was transported to the Flagler County jail on a felony charge of possession of methamphetamines, and three misdemeanor charges: possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a concealed weapon, and driving with a suspended license.
+ Man arrested after scuffle at Scruffy Murphy’s
It’s not typical that the suspect has his own handcuffs. But that’s what Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies found Jan. 13, when they responded to a physical disturbance at Scruffy Murphy’s, at 1499 Palm Coast Parkway.
According to reported testimony, owner Ronald Jaffe approached Anthony Dasaro when he became aggressive at the bar. Dasaro then charged at him with a knife, Jaffe told deputies, so Jaffe “struck (Dasaro) in the face several times until (Jaffe) was no longer in fear of being harmed.”
Another witness corroborated Jaffe’s story. Dasaro refused to talk without consulting a lawyer first. After Dasaro was arrested and brought to the hospital for treatment of a laceration above his eye, he was transported to the Flagler County Inmate Facility.
The report states that the knife was taken as evidence. A pocketknife, two lighters and — handcuffs and a handcuff key — were also found in Dasaro’s possession and were taken. No further explanation was provided.
+ Fake hand grenade found in B-section oak tree
The St. Johns County Bomb Squad arrived Jan. 23, at 2 Blare Drive, to investigate a rusty, pineapple hand grenade found in a knot in an oak tree.
The area around the residence was temporarily closed within 300 feet.
The home’s previous renter, however, later explained that the grenade was a dummy that he had forgotten about after moving.
The grenade was removed by the bomb squad, and the evacuees returned safely to their homes.
+ Corrections
Eden Cross’ pet psychic consultations begin at $75.
+ Public Meetings
Palm Coast City Council — the next regular meeting is 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 at city offices.
Economic Opportunity Advisory Council — The next regular meeting is 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the Government Services Building.
